Missouri Legislature starts session under new leadership

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers opened the 2016 session under new leadership Wednesday and saw a relatively quiet start after a tumultuous end to last year's session.

House Speaker Todd Richardson, who took the helm after John Diehl admitted to exchanging sexually suggestive texts with an intern and resigned on the last day of the 2015 session, said changes to the Legislature's ethics policies are a top priority.

"This institution should not and will not be defined by the actions of a few," said Richardson, a Poplar Bluff Republican. He added while there is no rule or law "that can make our imperfect process perfect, we can, and we must, work to improve the environment in the people's Capitol."

After Diehl resigned, former Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, left office in August amid claims he sexually harassed interns, which he denied.

Proposed changes to ethics policies include banning lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and not allowing lawmakers to immediately become lobbyists after leaving public office. Measures to cap campaign contributions appear less likely to pass.

The Senate also is under new Republican leadership. Sen. Ron Richard of Joplin took over after former Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey resigned in August to work at a St. Louis-based lobbying firm, although he does not lobby in Missouri.

Richard is the first president pro tem to also have been House speaker. He said little in the chamber on the first day of session, adding he'd leave that up to his colleagues.

"Let's get to work," Richard said.

The 2016 session likely will be marked by the upcoming elections: At least five of the 32 senators are running for U.S. Congress or a statewide office.

Two members of the Missouri House are seeking higher office.

The House also swore in three new members picked in special elections because of open seats, including the vacancy created by Diehl's departure; that suburban St. Louis district seat is being taken by Republican Dean Plocher of Des Peres.

Two new Democratic representatives -- Rory Rowland of Independence and Daron McGee of Kansas City -- also were sworn in.

While the special elections meant Democrats picked up a seat in the House, Republicans in that chamber and the Senate have veto-proof majorities. If GOP members stick together, they can undo any vetoes by Gov. Jay Nixon. That could present challenges for the term-limited Democratic governor before he leaves office.

For example, Richardson cited spending on welfare programs and Medicaid health care as problems, while Nixon has pushed to expand Medicaid eligibility. House Minority Leader Jake Hummel and other Democrats again cited that as a top goal this year.

Nixon and legislative leaders of both parties have said ethics changes and a way to pay for repairs to the state's aging roads and bridges are needed this year. Both issues have been discussed for years in the Legislature with little success.

"We need to make sure that we do enough change that it makes a difference to the people of Missouri," said Hummel, who is pushing for campaign contribution limits.

Both Republicans and Democrats also said ensuring that resources are provided to help with flood recovery efforts is a top goal.

While Senate Minority Leader Joe Keaveny proposed banning discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, Richard and Richardson cited concerns with religious freedom. Richardson said people in Missouri are "concerned that the basic right to religious liberty is in jeopardy."